Homeowner Maritza Rodriguez hosted a jam-packed “Meet and Greet” for Mike Bonin, 11th District Councilmember candidate, so that Silver Strand residents could get to know Bill Rosendahl’s hand-chosen successor. Mike won a landslide victory on March 5, 2013 and has, since then, been responsive to our neighborhood concerns. Following his election, he attended the SSMHOA Annual Block Party and spoke at the SSMHOA Annual Meeting.

The Mini-Block Parties make their debut:Nora Nicosia, Board member and Chair of the Block Captain Committee persuaded Block Captains to host a series of small parties covering two Malls each and adjacent Roma Court homes as a prelude to the Annual Block Party. Block Captain Cindy Carlin did a brilliant job in coordinating the parties and was in attendance at each one, as was Nora. Residents set up tables and chairs, along with play areas and games for children. The events allowed near neighbors to get to know each other in an intimate setting. All those attending contributed a delicious home-cooked dish. The parties included a Memorial Day party on Quarterdeck Mall, a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Lighthouse Mall, a Bastille Day festivity on Mast Mall and a Happy Hour party on Topsail.

The delightful twins, newest arrivals on the Silver Strand

Nora Nicosia(far left) and Cindy Carlin(center)

The Silver Strand Art Tour Committee, co-chaired by Nora Nicosia, Clarissa Cervantes, Marilee Karlsen and Angela Durrant organized six visits to local venues including the Adamson House, the Annenberg Space for Photography, the Watts Towers, the Getty Museum,, the Chen Art Gallery and Homeboy Industries. The tours, an idea thought up by Nora Nicosia, are now in their third year and are extremely popular with residents.

At the Adamson House in Malibu

The Watts Towers

Homeboy Industries

The Getty Museum

The Farmers Market opened at Mothers Beach: This event, sponsored by the Los Angeles County of Beaches and Harbors, made its debut this year. The market is small, but the offerings are first-rate and the prices are far more reasonable than what you will find at the Venice and Santa Monica Farmer’s markets. Three food trucks are there during the warm months and it’s nice to order lunch, take it to the shaded cabana tables on Mothers Beach with its beautiful view, and then shop for groceries and flowers. Parking is easy.

July 4th Fireworks Marina del Rey Harbor

Third Annual Silver Strand Block Party: This year’s hugely successful event was attended by several hundred residents with their families and friends. It was sponsored by Peter and his son Ty Bergman of Bergman Beach Properties. Block Captain, Jennifer Manoogian chaired the SSMHOA ad hoc Annual Block Party Committee for the third year running, assisted by Block Captain Cindy Carlin.

Jennifer Manoogian, Chair of the ad hoc Annual Block Party Committee

Peter Bergman’s wife Frankie was the party planner and came up with the idea of a fashion show with glamorous clothes provided by Gordana of Project Runway on Main Street, Santa Monica and modeled by Silver Strand residents.

Cindy Carlin, who assisted Jennifer in supervision arrangements for the party dances down the runway during the fashion show

(Left to right) Peter Bergman of Bergman Beach Properties sponsor, along with son Ty ,of the 2013 Annual Block Party,Mike Bonin, 11th District Councilmember and Fred Karlsen, President of SSMHOA.

The Westside Latins provided the live music

Debut of the Silver Strand Bicycle Group: Cindy Carlin and Clarissa Cervantes organized the first bike ride, round-trip from the Lighthouse Bridge to the Annenberg Center in Malibu with lunch at the Back on the Beach Cafe.

Landscaping Improvements in the Silver Strand: The SSMHOA Landscape Committee, co-chaired by Sandy Gooch and Nora Nicosia, helped by R&G Design, redesigned and replanted the Topsail mini-Mall with drought-tolerant succulents. They were assisted by Linda Evans-Smith.

New plantings at the Topsail Mini-Mall

Sandy Gooch and Ray Garcia of R&G design also improved the entrance to the Silver Triangle by introducing colorful plants and keeping the shrubbery trimmed.